Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead digital darts" class="wp-image-81045" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8997_VSCO-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Look out! This classic pub pastime is soaring straight into the 21st century with a revolutionised way to play the game. Gone are the days of wobbly number gymnastics, digital darts with its interactive games and instant scoring is booming. And it&#8217;s not a boy&#8217;s club no more. All hail the new wave of trendy venues offering the in vogue sport, the most recent being <a href="https://greyhoundfinchampstead.co.uk/darts.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a> Finchampstead with its brand new digital darts area which opened in June. While the reveal marked the closure of their farm shop Goswell &amp; Birds, a new flighty and fabulous era is born, and it&#8217;s proper cool.</p>



<p>Fancy a throw? There are two sleek oche lanes in the renovated space with seating for around 15 people to hang, eat, and drink between throws. It&#8217;s fast-paced, fun, and perfect for all ages &#8211; whether families with older children, mates, and dates who can play either individually or as a team. The area is available for exclusive use, plus you can order food and drink direct to your ochre.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead darts" class="wp-image-81049" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9010_VSCO-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A far cry from your sticky sports bar, the space has been renovated beautifully, decked out with cool trinkets, vintage signs, and a show stopping old-school bookcase. It has a real homely and welcoming feel, sitting just down the stairs from the main pub area. I love how light and bright it is, and there&#8217;s plenty of space between the ochres to avoid any catastrophic collisions. On the Friday night of my visit, The Greyhound Finchampstead had their monthly live music on (every last Friday of the month) which you could hear as you played. Psst, it&#8217;s also 2-for-1 cocktails and 20% off draught beers between 5pm &#8211; 9pm. Brilliant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-experience">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO.jpg" alt="digital darts near me" class="wp-image-81056" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9053_VSCO-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Time to get my flighty fix. I brought along the whole family, and it seemed a few others had the same bright idea with fellow families with older children and teens taking to the adjacent ochre. Once you&#8217;ve checked in, pop in your player&#8217;s names, and you&#8217;re ready to go. There are 12 different interactive games to choose from &#8211; each bringing something new to the table. We tried out about five of them. My favourite had to be Killer which saw you having to hit specific assigned numbers in order to gain the power to eliminate your fellow players. Brutal. </p>



<p>Disco Wall and Around the World were also great fun. Some games followed a more traditional darts style of play, with others (like Killer) having set numbers you needed to hit. It&#8217;s competitive, funny, and challenging, but not to the point of wanting to sack it off and drown your sorrows in gin. As someone with very little darts experience, it was incredibly easy to pick up, and after a few throws you&#8217;re basically a pro. Well, I like to tell myself. </p>



<p>The scoring is automatic which is a lifesaver. However, the outer part of the board doesn&#8217;t pick up missed shots, so you do have to remember to hit the miss button on the screen if you fail to land it. Beware of the rebounding darts too. There were a few hairy near misses (almost being impaled in the foot a few times), but thankfully we all left with four limbs in tow. In fact, we loved it so much we asked if we could play for an extra hour. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1496" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead" class="wp-image-81044" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO-800x798.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO-1000x997.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO-768x766.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_8992_VSCO-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It wouldn&#8217;t be darts without a glass of something in your hand. I began with a gorgeous rosé from local legends Stanlake Park before moving on to the cocktails. The Strawberry Margarita Spritz and Hugo Spritz were deeeelicious. They were super summery, and can&#8217;t lie, got me feeling pretty merry. There&#8217;s of course a huge choice of draught and bottle beers, as well as a massive wine list, spirits, ciders and softies for the designated drivers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1496" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead" class="wp-image-81047" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO-800x798.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO-1000x997.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO-768x766.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9003_VSCO-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As you play, there is a dedicated snack menu on hand to keep you fuelled up, stacked with the likes of triple cooked chips, sticky sausages, sandwiches, and even oysters. I tried the beef shine pasties with mustard mayo which were heavenly. The pastry is ridiculously buttery and moreish. For the rest though, we ordered off the a la carte menu. Starters saw a lovely steak tartare (a bit pickley for some, but I love it), the goat&#8217;s cheese tart, and the chalk stream trout rillette. One thing&#8217;s for certain; they don&#8217;t scrimp on portion sizes here.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1496" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead" class="wp-image-81050" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO-800x798.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO-1000x997.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO-768x766.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9031_VSCO-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Greyhound Finchampstead have a brilliant daily specials menu, and the grilled native Dorset lobster instantly caught my attention. I loved the garlic butter flavouring, and the meat was soft. The chips are always stunning here. Mains were thoroughly enjoyed across the board FYI. The braised Hereford short rib went down a storm, as did the roast Cornish monkfish (both off the specials).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1496" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO.jpg" alt="greyhound finchampstead" class="wp-image-81051" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO-800x798.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO-1000x997.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO-768x766.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/greyhound-darts-IMG_9032_VSCO-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Game play resumed as a breather before we returned to the table for puddings. I adored my croissant bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream. Although, perhaps slightly on the heavy side considering the two previous courses. Oops. The chocolate mousse and strawberry cheesecake sundae are both winners too. It&#8217;s also worth noting the staff here are incredibly friendly and go out of their way to make you feel so welcome. Service was attentive throughout the whole night, and they can&#8217;t do more for you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Mates, dates, and a fun night out with the family. Elevate your bog-standard pub visit with digital darts &#8211; it&#8217;s such a laugh and even if you&#8217;ve never played darts before, it&#8217;s so easy to get into. I loved it!  </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> While the digital darts is family-friendly, young children might struggle. All those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult too.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> <a href="https://greyhoundfinchampstead.co.uk/darts.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital darts</a> costs a brilliant £10 per hour. Walk-ins are welcome but I&#8217;d highly recommend booking. The bar snacks menu ranges from £4 to £21. Or hit up the a la carte menu with starters from £9, mains from £19.50, and puds for £9.50.</p>



<p><strong><em>Book Digital Darts <a href="https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=254325&amp;restref=254325&amp;experienceId=503409&amp;utm_source=external&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=shared" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> or call&nbsp;01182 161 334. The Greyhound, Longwater Rd, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 3TS.</em></strong></p>


Hit or miss? Muddy plays the new digital darts at The Greyhound Finchampstead

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